The sixth annual Rikudiah—the inter-yeshiva high school girls dance competition and tzedakah fundraiser—took place this past Motzei Shabbat December 5. The Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School was thrilled to host the competition, one that gives students who are interested in dance, the opportunity to shine; participants produce original dance while developing their talents in a meaningful setting. Kushner, Hillel, Flatbush, Ma’ayanot, Ramaz, Magen David, Ilan, SAR, Westchester and Frisch each sent a dance team to compete.

All teams presented beautifully, with amazing talent, creative themes and complex choreography. Four professional Jewish dancers judged the competition to determine the winners. Flatbush came in first place, SAR in second, Ilan in third and Hillel and Magen David received an honorable mention. As first place winner, the Flatbush team will be invited to perform their dance at the annual Stern College dance show in the spring. As second place winner, SAR will be choosing the tzedakah that will benefit from the proceeds of the event.

This year’s competition featured a performance by the Brooklyn Jewish Dance Institute that was centered around the story of Chanukah, as well as a tap display that was a Jewish rendition of a world renowned tap dance. This performance was intended to encourage all the girls to think about new ways in which they might be able to merge their interest in dance with their Jewish identity.

One of the highlights of the event is the conclusion of the program, when the girls from all the teams dance together with the spectators. It is a beautiful scene to watch—over 200 yeshiva high school girls from different schools dance and sing together to contemporary Jewish music. Women and girls are invited to be a part of the excitement next year at the seventh annual Rikudiah. Sharon Weinstein coordinates the Rikudiah, and can be contacted at [email protected].